What is Astar Network (ASTR)? A Comprehensive Guide to the Japan-Founded Public Blockchain

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Astar Network (ASTR) is a next-generation public blockchain that originated in Japan and has rapidly gained visibility both domestically and internationally. Known for its strategic partnerships with major global tech companies and early adoption by Japanese enterprises, Astar has positioned itself as a key player in the Web3 and decentralized application (dApp) ecosystem.

This article explores Astar Network’s core technology, unique features, ecosystem development, tokenomics, and its growing influence within the Polkadot ecosystem—all while maintaining a developer-first, community-driven philosophy.

Understanding Astar Network

Astar Network is a scalable, multi-chain smart contract platform developed primarily by Stake Technologies, founded by CEO Sota Watanabe. Although the team is now based in Singapore, the project was conceived and initiated in Japan, reflecting strong roots in Japanese innovation and blockchain ambition.

Originally launched as Plasm Network in May 2020, it rebranded to Astar Network in June 2021 to signify its evolution into a more comprehensive, enterprise-ready blockchain solution. In December 2021, Astar secured a parachain slot on Polkadot, becoming the third project globally to do so—marking a major milestone in its journey.

Astar supports both Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and WebAssembly (WASM) environments, enabling developers from diverse programming backgrounds to build decentralized applications seamlessly. This dual-VM architecture sets Astar apart from many other blockchains.

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The Role of Polkadot in Astar’s Architecture

To fully grasp Astar’s significance, understanding Polkadot is essential. Polkadot is a multi-chain network designed to enable interoperability between independent blockchains through a central relay chain. Blockchains connected to this relay chain are known as parachains.

Astar operates as a parachain on Polkadot, benefiting from shared security, scalability, and cross-chain communication. Additionally, Astar has a canary network called Shiden Network (SDN) on Kusama, Polkadot’s experimental “wild west” counterpart, allowing developers to test innovations before deploying them on the mainnet.

By leveraging Polkadot’s infrastructure, Astar enhances its reliability and interoperability—key advantages for enterprise adoption and long-term sustainability.

Key Features of Astar Network

1. Cross-Virtual Machine (X-VM) Compatibility

Astar’s standout feature is its support for two virtual machines:

This means developers can deploy Ethereum-based dApps directly onto Astar with minimal changes—ideal for teams looking to scale beyond Ethereum’s high gas fees. But unlike EVM-only chains, Astar also supports WASM, which allows coding in languages like Rust, C++, and TypeScript.

WASM offers greater performance efficiency and flexibility, attracting a broader developer base—including those new to blockchain. Furthermore, Astar enables cross-VM interoperability, allowing EVM and WASM dApps to interact seamlessly within the same network.

This dual compatibility makes Astar one of the most developer-friendly blockchains in the Polkadot ecosystem.

2. dApps Staking: Incentivizing Innovation

One of the biggest challenges in blockchain ecosystems is motivating developers to build and maintain high-quality dApps. Astar tackles this with its innovative dApps Staking mechanism.

Here’s how it works:

This creates a sustainable revenue model for developers—essentially a form of basic income—encouraging continuous improvement and long-term commitment. It also empowers users to vote with their stakes, aligning community interests with ecosystem growth.

No other major blockchain offers such a direct incentive model for dApp creators.

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3. Layer 2 (L2) Scalability Solutions

Scalability remains a critical bottleneck for many blockchains. Astar addresses this by supporting Layer 2 rollup solutions, which process transactions off the main chain while inheriting Polkadot’s security.

As Sota Watanabe noted in 2019, Layer 1 chains are nearing capacity limits. By integrating L2 technologies like optimistic and zero-knowledge rollups, Astar ensures high throughput and low latency—essential for DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and IoT applications.

This forward-looking design positions Astar as a scalable hub for future Web3 use cases.

Growing Ecosystem and Real-World Adoption

Astar’s ecosystem is already thriving, hosting a wide range of decentralized applications across multiple sectors:

Major global players have also joined the ecosystem:

These partnerships underscore Astar’s credibility and potential for mainstream adoption.

ASTR Token: Utility and Distribution

Token Use Cases

The native ASTR token serves three primary functions:

  1. dApps Staking – Stake to support projects and earn rewards.
  2. Transaction Fees – Pay for network usage; 20% of fees are burned.
  3. On-chain Governance – Vote on protocol upgrades and proposals.

This utility-driven model ensures ongoing demand for ASTR within the ecosystem.

Token Supply and Allocation

Notably, the majority of tokens were allocated to the community—not insiders—reflecting Astar’s commitment to decentralization.

“In the future, we plan to transition Astar into a fully decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), dissolve Stake Technologies, and step down as CEO.”
— Sota Watanabe, Founder

This vision highlights a rare commitment to true decentralization—where control ultimately rests with token holders.

Exchange Listings and Market Presence

ASTR is listed on leading exchanges including:

Most notably, in September 2022, ASTR became the first Japanese-originated public blockchain token to be listed on a domestic exchange—bitbank—with JPY trading pairs. This marks a significant step toward mainstream acceptance in Japan.

Funding and Strategic Partnerships

Unlike many projects that raised funds via ICOs, Astar avoided traditional token sales. Instead, it secured funding through:

This approach minimized centralization risks and emphasized long-term value building.

Notable Collaborations

These collaborations demonstrate real-world utility beyond speculation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Astar Network Japanese-owned?
A: While developed by a Japan-founded team, Stake Technologies is now headquartered in Singapore due to regulatory considerations. However, Astar maintains strong ties with Japanese enterprises and regulators.

Q: Can I build Ethereum dApps on Astar?
A: Yes! Thanks to EVM compatibility, you can deploy Ethereum dApps on Astar with little or no modification—and enjoy lower fees and faster transactions.

Q: How does dApps Staking work?
A: Users stake ASTR tokens on registered dApps. Developers earn rewards based on stake volume, receiving 40% of new token emissions. Stakers earn 10%.

Q: What makes Astar different from other Polkadot parachains?
A: Its combination of EVM + WASM support, dApps Staking incentives, L2 scalability focus, and strong corporate partnerships makes it uniquely positioned.

Q: Where can I buy ASTR tokens?
A: ASTR is available on major exchanges like Binance, Kraken, Huobi, Crypto.com, OKX, and Japan’s bitbank.

Q: Is Astar moving toward full decentralization?
A: Yes. The long-term goal is to transition into a DAO, dissolve Stake Technologies, and let the community govern the network via ASTR token voting.

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